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Rewind for a moment to the second round of the 2002 World Cup – Kobe, Japan to be precise. Rivaldo’s strike from Ronaldinho’s pass; and just like that Belgium’s resistance was broken. Ronaldo settled matters late on, ensuring Brazil passed their biggest test of the tournament and sending a gritty but unspectacular Belgian squad home in the process. While there was much to admire in their performance, this exit sparked a forgettable barren spell for Belgium to the extent that they have not been back on the big stage since, missing out on the 2006 and 2010 World Cups as well as Euro 2004, 2008 and 2012.
But from that position of doom and gloom has emerged great hope for the future. The Belgian national team has ushered in an exciting new era that promises qualification for the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016, with the English Premier League providing the backdrop for a staggering number of the key figures. It is quickly becoming one of the season’s most underrated storylines.
Barely a week goes by in English football without a Belgian in the headlines. Eden Hazard is spearheading Chelsea’s title bid, Vincent Kompany captains Manchester City and has established himself as their defensive leader while Marouane Fellaini and Christian Benteke have been among the top marksmen this season. Kompany is not the only Belgian defender catching the eye, with Jan Vertonghen starring at Tottenham Hotspur and Thomas Vermaelen a pivotal figure for Arsenal. When adding in the silky touch of Mousa Dembele, another Tottenham man, and the direct running of Everton’s Kevin Mirallas and West Brom loanee Romalu Lukaku, there is no doubt that this group should be among the pack chasing European heavyweights Spain and Germany over the next decade.
On playing in England with so many of his compatriots, Mirallas explained earlier in the year: "We just have an excellent crop of players. We are all a similar age and we are all choosing to come and play in the Premier League. It is good that we are all here. We are playing together or against each other, so that will be a positive thing for the national team. It is a coincidence – a happy coincidence – that so many of us are playing here at the same time.
Just this weekend, despite Hazard being on FIFA Club World Cup duty and Kompany sitting out Manchester City’s trip to Newcastle due to injury, the Belgian imports produced more highlights to maintain the momentum. Aston Villa’s Benteke has been one of the most impressive newcomers during the 2012/13 campaign, displacing Darren Bent in the starting line-up and punishing defences with his pace and power. At Anfield, Liverpool became his latest victim as Benteke scored two and created the other in a 3-1 win on Merseyside. It was even enough to overshadow Fellaini’s reckless headbutt in Everton’s game at Stoke that has netted a three-match ban. Sunday brought more joy for Belgian fans as Vertonghen slotted home a classy finish to sink Swansea at White Hart Lane, just as the game appeared to be heading for a stalemate.
For Premier League fans, the action is gripping but it must also generate head scratching over how Belgium has unearthed this array of gems while England’s next generation remains a major unknown. Dembele’s class in possession and Hazard’s ability to beat his man, for instance, are both attributes that England boss Roy Hodgson is crying out for. For now, though, it is just a case of enjoying the show and admiring the way that this group of players has transformed their nation’s football fortunes.
And so, once the forgotten men of European football, the Belgians are back. They currently sit top of their 2014 World Cup qualifying group, with three wins and a draw, and are arguably fielding their strongest ever team. How far they go will depend on how much of the potential can be turned into end product, but if the chips land favourably, Europe beware! All being well, Belgium might soon have a chance to belatedly avenge that loss to Brazil ten years ago – and in the Selecao’s backyard too.
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